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Matisyahu, Album Leaf, Devotchka, Miller & Wing ...

Thursday 1.18 ttMATISYAHU tSome think the novelty of Matisyahu’s background is wearing thin and that the Orthodox Jew turned backpack hip-hop visionary doesn’t have the chops to make it on talent alone. Others, however, can’t get enough of the young emcee’s reggae-tinged hop-a-long delivery. They admire his chaste confidence, his devotion to religion and tradition. Whatever your position, you’ve got to hand it to the kid for juggling two worlds with such infectious enthusiasm'and sweet networking skills. His latest EP No Place to Be features production by legendary Jamaican duo Sly & Robbie who, depending on your taste, save a cover of “Message in a Bottle” from utter ruin. Sending out an S.O.S., indeed. Harry O’s, 427 S. Main, Park City, 9 p.m. Tickets: SmithsTix.com.

Friday 1.19 ttTHE ALBUM LEAF ttIt makes perfect sense for The Album Leaf to tour Utah during Sundance. Multi-instrumentalist James DeValle produces atmospheric indie rock that screams silver screen. His lush drum programming, matched with live violin, glockenspiel, drums, guitar and vocals in concert courtesy of Matt Resovich, Timothy Reece and Drew Andrews, tickles then taps then engulfs listeners in a symphonic clutch. Disarming and imaginative, songs off Into the Blue Again falter only when DeValle’s vocals get too nasally and atonal. Good thing they snagged a spot on The O.C. soundtrack before the show went up in car-explosion flames. TheUrban Lounge, 241 S. 500 East, 10 p.m. Tickets: 24Tix.com.

Tuesday 1.23 ttDEVOTCHKA ttWhile many bands pass over Salt Lake City en route to high-profile venues in Boise and Las Vegas, certain groups maintain unwavering devotion to a town that supported them from the start. Count Devotchka among the few, the proud, the consistent performers who haven’t let glowing reviews and industry buzz go to their heads. Denver’s revolving collective brings their sonic gumbo to town at least twice each year, thrilling familiar crowds with kaleidoscope gypsy-folk that most recently spiced up an already vibrant Little Miss Sunshine. Suede, 1612 Ute Blvd. (Kimball Junction), Park City, 9 p.m. Tickets: SmithsTix.com.

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MIKE MILLER & ALBERT WINGnFilm buffs, technical jazz freaks and bizarro-rock fans find common ground in Mike Miller’s work. A skilled guitarist, he’s collaborated with everyone from Chick Correa to Bette Midler and performed material by Frank Zappa. Miller also teams up with his wife writer Sandra Tsing Loh to write/score Jessica Yu’s stunning documentaries. Today, Miller will share the secrets of his chameleon musical chops along with saxophonist Albert Wing (who toured with Zappa) through a series of workshops at the University of Utah (utah.edu), followed by a joint concert for 21 music lovers of all stripes. Zanzibar, 679 S. 200 West, 8 p.m. Info: 746-0590.

Wednesday 1.24 ttPIERS FACCINI ttSinger/songwriters succeed or fail on their power to convince listeners why they should care about another broken heart, another friend lost, another dream deferred. Melancholy reigns supreme on Piers Faccini’s Tearing Sky, an album full of lyrics that on paper are nothing spectacular. Only when Faccini opens his mouth do the tracks seduce. With a voice like Nick Drake’s, soft but haunting, he whispers, coos and chants until otherwise simple lines turn hypnotic. Thanks to the occasional marching drum, harmonium and bowed guitar, the spell lasts long after he stops reflecting. Find out whether the magic translates onstage tonight. TheUrban Lounge, 241 S. 500 East, 10 p.m. Tickets: 24Tix.com.